Aquarium ABCs
11/29/2006 12:51:02 PM by Stacy Wynn
Setting up a saltwater aquarium at home isn’t as hard as you might think. We guide you through the process of creating the best aquatic ecosystem outside of the ocean.
There are few things more exotic than bringing the ocean home in the form of a lavish saltwater aquarium. It makes the perfect accent wall, room divider or just plain focal point that will impress all. Saltwater systems don’t have to be that much more difficult than their freshwater counterparts…the secret is pre-planning.
Do you want a fish-only system? These utilize inert rocks, shells and dried or artificial corals and the like, and are the easiest systems to maintain. With the addition of nature’s cleaning crew in the form of snails, hermit crabs and regular crabs to devour the algae and other organic flotsam, the system is nearly self-sufficient.
Even if you don’t want a fish with live rock or reefkeeping environment, you may want to opt for the equipment, especially filtration, that will allow you to expand to this type of ecosystem should you want to at a later date. In the fish-with-live-rock undersea world, crustaceans and invertebrates clean the tank. Sessile invertebrates may also be incorporated into the design.
The most tricky unit is a true reefkeeping ecology with live rock, sessile invertebrates and stony or soft corals. Into this somewhat fragile environment, a minimal amount of reef-compatible fish can be introduced, though some designers opt for no fish at all. The mobile invertebrates and crustacean “cleaning crew” must also be reef-compatible. After the aforementioned decisions are made, it’s time to get a tank. First, though, you must choose the tank location to make sure that any tank you choose will fit properly, be supported by the location and be placed where you really want it, as moving a filled fish tank even just a little bit can be a literal nightmare. Once you have chosen whether you want to go with an acrylic or glass tank and the style of tank you want, you are then ready to get your interior components. This is where the knowledge of staff at the aquarium products store will be of great benefit.
Once you’ve gotten all your components home, the process is rather straightforward:
1. Prep the aquarium. Clean the tank; install the background; install the tank stand if applicable, set the tank in place so that it is level; install all equipment.
2. Run a system test, checking for leaks, heater performance at the preferred temperature and balance salinity (if required).
3. Begin aquascaping by shutting off all equipment. Remove and temporarily store 50 percent of the tank water. This allows for the water level to rise as items are added to the tank. Add in rocks and other items to your visual satisfaction. Return appropriate amount of temporarily stored tank water to tank and turn on the equipment.
4. Check and regulate salinity and water temperature as needed.
5. Cycle the tank. This can take up to 30 days, though there are shortcuts that we will not go into here. The water is traditionally left alone during this process, though in a live rock situation, if excessive algae accumulates, this material, along with some water can be removed.
6. Post-cycle cleaning includes changing out the water once ammonia and nitrate readings become zero; siphoning detris off the bottom and elsewhere; and rinsing out any equipment that provides mechanical water filtration and cleans the tank front.
7. Restart the system and run a system check, adjusting temperature and salinity as required.
8. Move your wildlife in. Starting slowly is prudent, so the ecosystem is not unintentionally overloaded. A rule of thumb is to introduce only one or two of the species list prepared during your initial research at a time.
9. Monitor the nitrifying bacteria in the tank as it adjusts to the new additions. This is done by testing the water once a day for signs of ammonia and nitrate. Only when you get zero readings can the next one or two creatures be added, and so on, until the tank is complete.
10. Invite some friends over to help you enjoy your soothing masterpiece.